We're back!

We just got back from a WONDERFUL 11 day vacation in the Ozarks. We had such a beautiful time! Ty and I and the kids met the Elderberrys in Rogers, AR for a family reunion of sorts. It has been 8 years since we  had been to visit Tyler's grandparents and cousins in Arkansas. That's WAY TOO LONG! We had such a wonderful time getting reacquainted with our cousins and aunts and uncles. I hope that we can make it a yearly tradition! We spent our time reading on the porch, going on "safaris," going to late-night movies, and like all good Newberrys love to do, EATING!

Monday we went "crawdaddying" at Lake Atlanta with all the cousins.  It was so much fun! The kids trapped fish in cups and ran around squealing.

Wednesday we went shopping in Eureka Springs and Branson, MO where I found these awesome shoes!

Then we went to Silver Dollar City in Branson. I haven't been there since I was about eight years old.  It was SO MUCH fun. We went from 5-10pm which is half price, half as hot, and half as crowded. Which was nice since it was the hottest day of our lives with temps of over 110 degrees.

Thursday we visited with family and shopped...again. (my next post will be on that subject).

Friday morning we rented a boat and played on Beaver lake.  It was beautiful!

Later that night we had a family cookout that ended with a sweet time of prayer over Phil and a wrestling match between Allen, Tim, and Tyler. I'm not sure who won...

Saturday and Sunday we rested weekend style. Sunday afternoon Aunt Dotti cooked a DELICIOUS meal for the entire family.

Tuesday Tyler went to his Uncle Richard's cabin. He and his sons, Tim and Allen, built it entirely themselves. It is truly amazing. It was the highlight of Tyler's trip. They spent the day hiking, exploring, and riding four wheelers. I stayed back and went shopping and got a much needed pedicure.

We wrapped up vacation by a last visit to Beaver lake and a visit to the house Jeanne grew up in on the lake.

It was the best vacation yet! Thanks to Mama and Papa for such wonderful hospitality and DIVINE home cooking. Thanks to our sweet aunts, uncles, and cousins for showing us around the town and spending sweet time with us. And as always, thanks to the Elderberrys for being overly generous to us.